CH 9 - NOAH PUCKERMANN IS A RIGHTEOUS DUDE
A/N - WHEW! That last chapter was HARD for me too! I'm sorry, it was very painful and i hated putting our girl in that position… but there's purpose. And she'll be stronger for it, I promise. I think we need a little break, and who better to offer relief than Rachel's caveman cousin?
But we also need to wrap up some of Mr Brody first.. Sorry about that, I'll try to make it quick and easy for us to stomach… :)
Hang tight FInchel Squad… all the best fluff is still yet to come!
THE FRIDAY AFTER THE BUS…
Puck's clock radio alarm goes off at 8am. He slams the snooze button and 10 minutes later it goes off again. He slams the snooze again. The third time the radio sounds, the battered, scuffed up little box ends up flying across the room. It's a miracle it still works after years of this abuse.
Five minutes later his cell phone rings.
"FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THAT'S HOLY!"
He's up now. The caller ID indicates it's one of his teachers from the trade school, so he quickly answers the phone.
"Heeey there, Mr St. Pierre?"
— "Noah hello! Sorry if I'm catching you at a bad time? I know it's early."
"No that's cool, I'm awa– a-available now… It's so awesome to hear from you! I actually really miss your class."
— "Well thanks Noah, you were one of my fastest learners - after that first injury, that is. At least there wasn't too much blood and you didn't need many stitches."
"Yeah, still sorry about that. It was a stupid idea to test Ferris Bueller's theory about spinning back the odometer by puttin' the car up on blocks and running the engine in reverse. At least not in the shop, that was super dumb."
— "Yes, well.. you definitely caught on fast after that, and became one of my best students. Which is sort of why I'm calling now… I have a job opportunity for you to follow up on, if you're interested."
"Are you serious? Wow Mr S-P! I can't believe you'd think of me like that. Hell yeah I'm interested! What sort of opportunity?"
— "A friend of mine owns a shop near you in Brooklyn. He happens to also be a state representative for Ohio, which is actually where he lives. He's passing through today on his way to Washington DC and will be available at his shop at 11am. If you can get there in time, he's looking to hire a new mechanic, and I recommended you. Burt - he's the owner - always calls me for referrals before he advertises on job boards. He's a good guy, I think you'll like him and vice-versa."
"Wow.. I've never been the guy who gets recommended for anything that doesn't involve partying or vandalism or petty crimes. Or ATM machines. Feels kinda weird. Good, but weird. But y'know I've been working hard at getting my sh– my stuff together, be a better man, help my family out… This is just so cool of you to even think of me Mr S-P, and I promise I won't let you down!"
—puckpuckpuck—
That Burt guy was so awesome… oh baby, PUCKALICIOUS IS THE MAN! Yeah I'm feeling just like Ferris Bueller, people love me! It's gonna feel so great to have a steady paycheck, and I can't believe how much he's gonna pay me! I guess I'll have to impress his kid too, since 'he's the real boss" - whatever that means? Hope he ain't a douche. Wonder when I'll get to meet him. If he's anything like his old man then he should be pretty cool. I just hope dude remembers what I said about my name tag…
—puckpuckpuck—
THE SATURDAY AFTER THE BUS…
Look at this weather. All sunshine, and the Puck man is feelin' fine! And lookin' fine! Shit dude I should be a weatherman because they never get it right and they STILL get like, crazy mad dineros and fame and hot babes. Isn't it s'posed to be all cold and raining today? Whatever, no complaints here.
Hope my boy Blaine is ready for this news, I'm about to blow the hair gel right off his fuzzy little noggin! Haha!
Well, that is, I will as soon as this freaky tall super-douche Lurch looking dude gets the hell outta here. Place isn't even busy and he's taking forever. What's he doin' anyway, asking for date? DUDE other people need caffeine too y'know! I mean seriously. Go hit him up on Facebook or Tumblr or something like normal people do! Oh man finally… BYE FRANKENTEEN. It's about time.. Damn…. and I thought I could eat fast.
"Blaine-ster DUUUUDE! How's my favorite bow-tie-wearing-gay-guy? Wait til I tell you my news, you won't believe it!"
—puckpuckpuck—
THE MONDAY AFTER THE BUS…
"Fucking alarm clock."
Just as Puck's head hits the pillow (and the clock hits the wall on the other side of the room) he starts to fall back to sleep, but then remembers it's almost time to meet with his fantasy football league buddies online.
"Aww shit!" He hops out of bed and starts his morning.
He yawns big, stretches and scratches himself. Then trudges over to his laptop and gets logged in, making sure the chatroom is up and ready for the guys.
He then shuffles out to the kitchen where he finds a half-full cup of yesterday's coffee and dumps the contents in the sink. He inspects the inside of the empty cup, sniffs it for good measure, and remarks "clean enough."
He starts a new pot of coffee and grabs a toaster pastry. It's some stupid confetti flavor - not his favorite, but the only flavor left in the jumbo size variety pack. He tears the wrapper open and grabs a pastry which he carries in his mouth as he heads to the bathroom. "Time to unleash the KRAKEN!" he announces to nobody.
*** DING-DONG ***
As he walks out of the bathroom he hears the chat notification chime. He sees the pop-up window on the screen and smiles.
RB - Hello Noah! What are you up to on this rainy day Monday?
. . .
That little Berry is so awesome. She's my girl. I wish more people knew how incredible her talent was… she shouldn't be struggling to GET to the top, she's the CHERRY-BERRY and should already BE there; that spot's been reserved for her from birth!
But she better be taking care of herself. Poor kid, home alone and not feeling good. I know Tina has classes today, don't know if she's working too… wonder if B has lunch or dinner figured out. She shouldn't have to cook for herself if she's sick.
Screw her no-contact rule, I'm family. Think I'll surprise her and take her some of that veggie soup from the deli she loves so much. Even though this rainy weather is super sucky and I'm gonna get soaked. Whatever, anything for my fave little cuz. And even though she didn't let on, I know she's freaking out about her tonsils - of course she is. Maybe I'll grab some of that stinky vapo-stuff she uses too.
Besides, she said there's something else she wanted to tell me, but said it's not important? I don't know, Rachel has a bad habit of mistaking what IS and ISN'T important to the Puck-zilla. I guess only one way to find out!
—puckpuckpuck—
He sits sipping a cappuccino on a park bench. He's 'people watching' today, and seething.
He can't believe she did this to him. To them.
And the song blaring through his earbuds right now isn't helping his mood much.
Sheets of empty canvas
Untouched sheets of clay
Were laid spread out before me
As her body once did
All five horizons
Revolved around her soul
As the earth to the sun
Now the air I tasted and breathed has taken a turn
Oh and all I taught her was everything
Oh I know she gave me all that she wore
And now my bitter hands
Chafe beneath the clouds of what was everything
Oh the pictures have
All been washed in black
Tattooed everything
Goddamned Eddie Vedder. How'd he get it so right? He must've had his own Rachel that cut him out of her life too.
How quick the sun can, drop away
And now my bitter hands
Cradle broken glass of what was everything
All the pictures had
All been washed in black
Tattooed everything
All the love gone bad, turned my world to black
Tattooed all I see
All that I am, All I'll be, Yeah
I know someday you'll have a beautiful life
I know you'll be a star in somebody else's sky
But why, Why
Why can't it be
Why can't it be mine
He rips out the earbuds out of his ears and sighs.
"Screw this shitty sunny Saturday in the park, full of happy people with their happy lives. My world is still tattooed black."
Two and half years ago, Rachel needed a friend. She was gorgeous and talented and utterly friendless and alone at NYADA. When he'd first met her - of all places, in a co-ed bathroom - he fell immediately. When he'd first stumbled upon her, he was fresh out of the shower after having just enjoyed a special rehearsal with Cassie (all over the grand piano in her dance studio). At least that's how Cassie referred to the impromptu meeting when she texted him that night. But Rachel didn't need to know that's why he was showering in the middle of the night, so he'd made up a story about elaborate night time skin care rituals… and she bought it.
From that point on he was her everything. Her friend, her mentor, her confidant. He helped her with dance routines, warm ups, song selections and acting classes. He coached her on everything NYADA had to offer. She drank it up like a sponge. And he drank her up; every moment was precious to him. The more time he spent with her, the more he wanted to spend. They were practically inseparable.
But she'd made it clear, they were good friends but she wasn't looking for 'serious' at that time. He'd accepted it and took whatever she was willing to give. He'd figured in time, she'd see that he's all she needed. And then after almost a year, when she was finally willing to give herself to him, it was sort of working out for him. True, she was only letting him fill her loneliness, but it's what she had to offer. So he clung to the hope of 'someday'. It'd taken 8 months before he got a first real kiss, and 10 before they'd actually had sex. It helped that she was full of wine at the time and it was 3am, but he considered it an earned benchmark in their relationship.
About two months ago, he took her to see her favorite show - Wicked. They went for drinks afterwards and strolled down the sidewalk with his arm around her. She'd regaled at what a wonderful evening it'd been. She thanked him repeatedly for the lovely outing, said she was so glad they were friends, and giggled at all his trivial banter. She seemed happy. It felt like they were moving toward something special.
About two weeks ago he'd taken her to a lovely dinner at the most romantic vegan place he could find - the one she'd said she wanted to go to some day. He figured why wait? Except, after the meal she said she needed to stop seeing him. He definitely didn't see it coming and felt the rug pulled out from under him. Her play was ramping up production and keeping her too busy, she didn't have the time for him anymore. She asked for space. Brody tried hard, honest to god he did, but after 4 days without her he couldn't help himself and started trying to call. But she wouldn't answer. How could he make her understand how much she meant to him if he couldn't even get her on the phone?
And then 2 nights ago she'd finally texted him.
He was so hopeful to see her name pop up on the display, until he read her message. It kind of explained the total freeze out, all the way back to the dinner weeks ago, and her need for space.
Fuck. He really didn't mean for her to learn about his 'side job,' and he didn't know how to save face after this. At a minimum she'd think he was cheating. But the older woman thing? How could he explain that? No, there was nothing he could say that wasn't just really REALLY fucked up. He'd known it.
Yet, he knows Rachel. She's a beautiful soul and so forgiving to her core; it's just who she is. Maybe, just maybe there was some small hope of her letting him back in, at least as a friend. Then forgiveness would come in time. He'd just have to find a way to get her to speak to him again. If she won't answer the phone he'd have to find a way to see her in person.
. . . . . . . . . . . .
SUNDAY AFTER THE BUS…
** CJ - hey stud. Need your services today
** BW - hey.. Sorry Cass. kinda busy… not in the mood
** CJ - don't give me that shit. I overdid a new routine. My new TA is worthless, my muscles are gonna snap if i don't get them properly stretched… you're the only one who does it right.
** BW - fine. studio?
** CJ - my place. hurry
He thought, oh what the hell. He was already in the dog house, might as well enjoy the bone he's being thrown. But he was pissed off and not very into it and thinking about Rachel the whole time.
Cassie picked up on his attitude (and poor performance) and asked what was going on with him. He actually broke down and told her. That's when she mentioned 'Schwimmer isn't worth it… might not even last at NYADA since she called off classes for the entire week.'
What the hell? Rachel wouldn't do that, something must be really wrong. Well at least I know where to find her this week… if she's off sick, she should be home - and alone, since her roommate has class during the day.
. . . . . . . . . . . .
The moment he saw the doorknob turning, Brody was on his feet. As door starts to open he grabs it and pulls it wide open, then pushes his way past the man in the doorway, and bolts down the stairs and out of the building.
"What the hell dude?!" Before Puck even registered who the blur was that almost made him drop the bag of soup he was carrying, he'd peered into the apartment and noticed Rachel on the floor, sobbing and shaking. He noticed her disheveled clothes, the tears covering her cheeks, and the blood smudged around her mouth.
The bag hit the floor anyway.
He rushed into the room, sliding his way down to her side. "Rachel what the fuck? Oh my god baby girl, are you okay.. What the hell happened? Who the f— was that BRODY?!"
"Noah, oh god N-Noah I'm s-so glad you're here.." she barely choked out in squeaky whispers "Just ssstay with me, please please, d-don't leave me p-please stay please.." then the tears came with the adrenaline dump, along with violent full body-shaking sobs.
Puck's in a rough spot now as he processes what he's just seen. He's torn between staying to help Rachel and running out the door to catch (and kill) that son of a bitch. But Rachel's words from their chat a few hours ago are still ringing in his head, and clearly she needs him here with her right now more than he needs to get himself arrested.
He scoops her into his arms and off the floor cradling her, and tucks her robe tightly around her. He carries her carefully to the sofa, still holding her in his lap and does his best to soothe her. "It's okay B it's ok. I got you. Sh-shhhh, you're safe now. I got you. But we're calling the police."
She looks at him with uncertain eyes but doesn't immediately respond.
"We ARE calling the police Rachel…. What the fuck just happened here?"
"Noah. I-I don't know. H-he wanted t-to talk, about my t-text…" she's hiccuping air and her throat is so sore now, and the knot on the back of her head is growing and throbbing. "H-h-he just showed up, I blocked his calls… w-we were talking.. He lied to me Noah.. oh my god the lies.. and I told him to go, then.. th-then he j-just.. " Sobs wrack across her frame and she's hysterical again.
"Dead man. He's a dead man. B, if you don't let me call the police, I swear to—" she interrupts him "O-Ok Noah. You can call… just y-you stay with me.. stay please. Don't go please. I need you."
"I'm not going anywhere babe."
He pulls his cell phone out of his pocket and dials 911. Then he texts Tina to get her ass home ASAP.
"All I can say is that bastard better hope the cops get to him first."
—puckpuckpuck—
A/N - The worst is over… we can breathe now!
Scarlett88: I hope this helped fill the gaps.. :) And a huge THANKS to you for your input with the last chapter!
Song credit this chapter: Peal Jam - Black (from Ten album, 1991)
I should have mentioned the songs for the past chapters…
Ch 4:
Barbra Streisand- With One More Look at You (from OST-A Star is Born, 1974)
The Hollies - Just One Look (written & released 1964) – i actually had the Linda Ronstadt version playing on a loop in my head the whole time i was writing that chapter and hadn't realized it at first. When I did a quick lyrics check I remembered there was this original version by the Hollies, which fits Finn's band so much better!
Ch6:
Finn's 'original' song is actually Coldplay's Magic (from Ghost Stories album, 2014), with a few modified lines to serve this story and his character. ;)
I don't own anything - except my original content & free will to borrow from great artists who've been showcased within… thanks be to them!
And yeah, Ferris Bueller totally is a Righteous Dude (but i don't own him - RIP John Hughes, we still love you!)
THANKS FOR READING! PLEASE REVIEW!
FAITHFULLY FINCHEL FOREVER XOXO
—gleegleeglee—